Chapter 11:
Thief
Author's Note: This chapter is hot off the presses and a day early. My amazing beta, Arnel, says she was sad after she read this. Decide for yourself and then please let me know. MNF
At the sound of the second alarm, there were immediately seven wands pulled at pointed at the door. Harry, Hermione, Sirius, Remus, Amelia, Tonks, and Severus all were standing and on heightened guard.
"I would ask that you put your wands away," Strongblade said, "as pulling your wand is considered an act of aggression. However, I understand this is not a usual situation. You will be protected by the goblin army." Everyone but Amelia and Tonks hastily put their wands away. The two Aurors were far slower to respond but did when several more goblin guards rushed in with their halberds, swords, and daggers and in full battle armour.
"It's the headmaster, isn't it?" Harry quietly asked his father.
"Probably," Sirius said. "He would have known the will reading was today, what with Mini bringing Hermione and Neville and Professors Flitwick and Snape leaving the school too."
"Did you just call him Professor Snape?" Harry asked incredulously.
"I did," Sirius said. "Now I feel ill." Harry and Hermione sniggered at Sirius. Neville came over to sit with his friends, and Remus gave up the chair, instead moving to speak with Emme Vance.
"I can't believe we'd have grown up as friends," Neville said, "or even brothers. I should have talked with my grandmother about you. She said she'd been at your naming, which I thought was odd. Naming ceremonies are very personal things, and usually only attended by family."
"That's true, Neville, but your mother and your father were both cousins of some fashion to James and to me. Your mum and Lily, however, were often inseparable at school. Alice was a year older than we were, Frank too, but Alice was a prefect too and she and Lily seemed to bond over their Muggle heritage."
"I thought my grandparents on my mum's side were both magical?" Neville asked.
"No, Neville, your grandmum Donne wasn't magical. Alice grew up in a mixed household, where her father was a wizard, and her mum was a Muggle. I used to love to listen to Alice speak, as she had that lovely lilting Irish accent," Sirius explained. "That accent always did me in."
"I didn't even know my grandmother was Irish. I was told my mum and dad were both English," Neville said, surprised.
"Alice grew up in England, your grandfather was English, hence her last name of Smythe. But Alice had enough of her mother's accent to make her speaking voice charming."
"I've never heard any of this," Neville said sadly. "Did you know they're in the Janus Thickey Ward at St Mungo's?" The only person to nod yes was Sirius. "Grandmother makes me go to visit them on every holiday. I find the visits depressing, as they don't know who I am. My father is confined to his bed, but my mother can walk about. She stands right in front of me, takes my hand but she doesn't know who I am. I'm not sure which of us has the worse fate, Harry."
"Until just now, the only time I'd heard my parents' voices was when the Dementors were nearby," Harry confessed to his friends and new father.
"What do you mean, Harry?"
"I hear my father first, telling my mother to take me and run. He sounds scared and brave at the same time. Then there's an explosion and a woman's voice muttering something I don't understand." A tear runs down Harry's face and he hastily brushes it away. "She then proceeds to plead for my life. My mother stood in front of Voldemort and asked him to kill her and spare me. Until today, that is the only memory I have of her voice."
"Oh, Harry, you never told me," Hermione whispered as she took his hand.
"Not something I really wanted to share."
The goblins began to whisper amongst themselves, and another came in to pass a message to Strongblade.
"Albus Dumbledore has attempted to enter the building, and being labelled a thief, has been taken to the Goblin courts. I have been asked to bring you with me, so you may witness and give testimony regarding his crimes," the Potter and Black accounts manager explained.
"Sirius, do I have to do this?" Harry asked. "I don't want to see him. I'm not ready."
"Strongblade, must we all go? Would my presence be enough, as Harry's father?"
"The crimes were committed against Heir Potter; his attendance is mandatory. We may need evidence, which is why I have deemed it necessary for all of you to attend," the goblin explained. "There will be no way the thief can come near you."
"I don't think he'd attack me physically," Harry said, "but I sometimes feel like he's in my head."
"He probably is, Mr Potter," Severus Snape said. "The headm—er—Mr Dumbledore is quite well versed in the mind arts. If you would like, I could cast a charm on your mind that would protect it."
"No offense, Professor Snape, but I'd rather my father did it," Harry said as respectfully as he could.
"I can't, Harry," Sirius confessed. "I'm what they call a natural Occlumens. Most of the Black family were. I never had to learn how to keep my mind safe. Remus? Filius, can you cast this spell."
"I've never heard of it," Professor Flitwick replied.
"It is a spell of my own design," Snape explained. "The Dark Lord was an accomplish Legilimens, and while I am well versed in Occlumency, when I became a spy in the war, I knew I needed extra protection. Itserved me well when speaking to either Voldemort or Dumbledore. I swear I will not injure you."
"Harry, let Professor Snape cast the spell. Your mum trusted him, I can't believe he'd purposefully hurt you today," Sirius said, although it was hard. Snape was still a slimy git in his mind.
"Yeah, alright," Harry said.
"Don't worry too much, Harry. Hermione and I are right here with you," Neville piped up.
"What he said," Hermione chirped in. Harry smiled at the pair. He could already feel Neville becoming important in his life, which was good. He respected Hermione far more than Ron ever did.
Harry had never seen the inside of a courtroom of any sort, but he doubted many looked like this. The Goblin High Court met in an enormous room, deep under the bank. The ceiling was studded with jewels of all sorts, some cut to reflect light, some uncut and glinting in the candlelight. The uppermost ring at the top, and the floor was a full fifteen rows below. Large stadium-style benches carved from the rocks with elaborate pillows on them went a full two feet back. The descent was a steep fifteen rows untilStrongblade led them all to the very lowest row to the three chairs which were on a dais for the judges to sit on.
"Three elders, one of whom being the Head of the Goblin Nation, Ragnok, will sit in those seats. The thief will come up through that circle in the floor. If, or when, you are called to give testimony, please approach that star on the floor before the dais, all will hear you," their goblin manager explained. Sirius nodded, keeping his hand on Harry's back. Hermione sat on the other side of Harry, with Neville next to her and Andi and Ted on his far side. Tonks and Amelia were comparing notes on Wizengamot proceedings. Remus was on Sirius' other side.
"How's Harry doing?" Remus asked his mate.
"About as well as you'd expect," Sirius whispered back. "He's not showing much, but I can tell you his heart is racing."
"I don't like that we have to be here," Remus said. "Dumbledore has manipulated all of us in one way or another."
"Then it ends today." Sirius looked grim as he said it, and if he didn't know better, would say his grin was positively wolfish.
A set of tall doors opened, and two guards came in with halberds and stood at attention at the doors. Harry looked around and realized the rows behind and around them had filled in with goblins – those in suits and full sets of armour, those holding shields of gold, inlaid with jewels. It was unlike anything Harry had ever seen. Had he not been feeling so overwhelmed by his parents' will and then being swept into this courtroom, he might have wondered in amazement.
Through the guarded door came the three goblin judges. The first was dressed in solid gold armour, studded with large cut jewels, with an equally impressive crown on his head. The second was wearing a suit, and although Harry didn't know much about clothing, even he could tell it was well tailored. The third was also dressed in armour, although his was a dull metal with several dents and dings in it. It also seemed to be splashed with old blood in places.
"The first is the king of the goblins, the second is Ragnok, senior most accounts manager and the third is the head of the army, the battle commander," Sirius whispered in Harry's ear. Remus was doing the same with Hermione and Amy was whispering to Neville. This was a learning experience few had in the wizarding world, especially young adults. Remus couldn't help thinking that if more students experienced the various cultures in the wizarding world, there wouldn't be so much hatred. Then again, purebloods didn't understand the Muggle-born at all and Muggle-borns weren't even taught the most basic information about wizarding culture.
Once the trio were seated and the room hushed, the seal the floor disappeared and Albus too-many-middle-names Dumbledore appeared. He wasn't in his usual flamboyant robes, instead he was in a plain grey, shapeless garment – it reminded Harry of the shepherds robes he wore in the school nativity play one year – and had bare feet. His beard had been cut short as well. He turned around to look at Harry and the group of witches and wizards; the twinkle was gone from his eyes.
"The trial for Thief Dumbledore has begun," Ragnok said, and the goblins were suddenly jeering, stomping their feet, or pounding their weapons against their armour. It was exceptionally loud, and the witches and wizards moved closer together. "Silence!"
The room was immediately still.
"Thief Dumbledore, you are charged with stealing funds from the primary vault of Heir Potter-Black and facilitating the thievery of two other accounts of Heir Potter-Black. Additionally, forty-three separate items were returned to Gringotts and rehoused within the primary Potter vaults. These items were all in your possession. How do you plead to these counts?"
"Surely I should have some representation for these proceedings," Dumbledore suggested in his grandfatherly tone.
"Wizards who steal are not permitted counsel. How do you plead?" Albus sighed.
"Not guilty."
"Explain," the goblin king spoke. There was a tense moment before Albus spoke.
"Er, what exactly?" Albus asked.
"Why you are not guilty. You approved of the transferring of funds to the Dursley family, you gave the key to Mrs Weasley and told her when to remove the money and you removed money and items from the Potter vaults against the wishes of the former Lord Potter. You knew this, as you are the one who refused a reading of the will in the wizarding world and who sealed it there. So, explain."
"Well, er, money was left for Harry's care in his parents will. I simply made sure it went to the Dursley family. They were taking in another child."
"Did you check on the boy while there to ensure the funds were spent on his care?" the battle commander asked.
"I had made an arrangement with the Dursleys that I would not interfere –"
"The answer is no. You were warned that we expected direct answers," the battle commander stated in a very menacing way.
"Did you check on the physical welfare of the child? There has been a case of child abuse registered in the Muggle world against them," Ragnok asked.
"Again, I was supposed to stay away –"
"No will suffice."
"Did you ever enter the residence with a healer to perform magical healing on the boy as he was growing?" the goblin king asked.
"I had instruments on my desk that would alert me if Harry was in physical distress. I did take a healer during the night when everyone was asleep."
"A yes will do, thank you."
"I wonder who the healer was?" Sirius muttered aloud.
The three goblins conferred among themselves for about a minute before they turned back to Dumbledore.
"We find you guilty of the crimes of giving money to the Dursley family even though the will clearly states it was somewhere Heir Potter-Black should never have been placed. We additionally find you guilty of facilitating child abuse. This is a most serious crime in the Goblin world. We value our children above profit," Ragnok explained. The crowd banged against their shields and cheered at the last sentence.
"Did you give Heir Potter-Black's school vault key to one Mrs Weasley with the understanding that she was to remove funds just after the start of each term of school?"
"The money was in the will for the Weasley family, I simply facilitated it in a different way," Dumbledore said.
"Must we remind you that yes and no answers are all that are required?" Ragnok spat at Albus.
"Yes." The trio again spoke to one another for the shortest time before turning back to the public. "You are found guilty of thievery by proxy, Thief Dumbledore." The mockery was a bit louder this time. Hermione leaned into Harry.
"It sounds like they want to crucify him." The king raised his hand and the room fell silent.
"Thief Dumbledore, did you take gold and other items from the Potter family vaults over the years, including draining the vault entitled "Phoenix Funds" in the years nineteen-eighty-one through nineteen-ninety-four?"
Albus hung his head and simply said yes. He knew the trial was just for show, that the goblins knew he had taken from Harry. He suspected he already knew his fate. The words of his guilt, the taunting, angry cheers from the crowd echoed around him. When the trio of judges turned to speak to each other, Albus chanced looking back at the group of humans there to witness his downfall.
Minerva, Emme and Hermione had tears in their eyes, although with Minerva and Hermione their faces had a more determined air about them. Severus, Filius, Remus, the Tonks's, and Amelia all looked at him angrily, but also very hurt by this revelation. Neville appeared to be in shock. Albus wasn't surprised that Sirius was looking at him with a glare of contempt – he did keep the man from his godson in a most awful way. Harry had always been the most important thing in the world since the day the boy had been born. No, his surprise came from Harry, who did look angry – although not with the distain his godfather had – but more disappointed than anything. This cut through Albus, who had generally liked Harry and did consider him an honorary grandchild.
"Before we pass judgement, is there anyone who would like to speak on behalf of Thief Dumbledore?" Ragnok asked. All were surprised when Harry stood up. "You may speak, Heir Potter-Black."
"Profe, er, Mr Dumbledore, I looked up to you when I first arrived at Hogwarts. You were larger than life to a boy who didn't know that magic really existed until I turned eleven. You saved my life more than one time. I liked you and genuinely thought you liked me. Then I found out about all of this. The lies, the stealing, the manipulations. You don't do that to someone whom you like.
"I finally have a family, something I dreamed of since I could remember. You could have given it to me on the day after I lost my mum and dad. I could have grown up the child of Sirius and Chief Bones with Susan as my almost twin sister." Sirius looked back to Amelia and took her hand. "They might have had other kids and I could have been a big brother. I still hope maybe someday I will be.
"I would have had a grandmother in Professor McGonagall and an uncle in Remus. Neville and I would have grown up as friends, godbrothers. I would have come to school aware of my place in the wizarding world. But you took all of that.
"I'm done being angry at you, I can't think right when I'm angry, or at least that's what Hermione tells me. I would like it if you just passed from my mind altogether. For three years I believed a lie; I promise you I won't be so gullible again.
"I don't want you to be killed. I want you to live knowing that I and everyone who will hear about this will think of you as a disappointment. You were a great man, and like many great men, you've fallen off the pedestal you put yourself on. I want you to live with your shame."
Harry sat down and the room began clapping. Sirius wrapped his arm around his godson's shoulders and Hermione threaded her arm though his. If Harry had turned around, he would have seen faces full of pride, including Severus's. Neville reached over and patted his leg and mouthed 'well said' to him.
"That was very moving, Heir Potter-Black," the goblin king said, "and justifies our order of magical binding and then going to work for the rest of your natural life. Normally we would send a thief into the mines, but given your age, you will serve in the canteen or laundry areas of the mines. This is our verdict. Goodbye, Thief Dumbledore." Albus sunk through the floor and was gone. Never to be seen again.
